ATLANTA (March 26, 2012) – Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) is appalled at the expedited and secretive nature that the House Industrial Relations Committee met this morning with less than an hour’s notice to vote out SB 447. The bill cuts the maximum number of weeks laid-off workers can receive benefits. This will hurt the most for employees and their families who’ve been let go because of budget reductions and no fault of their own. Workers and their families who would have been eligible for up to 26 weeks will get a maximum of 20 weeks, starting this summer if the bill passes. The maximum will drop down to as low as 12 weeks as the unemployment rate declines.
“This has not been an open process as the majority party pushed through this legislation that shreds the middle-class safety net. SB 447 will make the unemployed bear the burden for corporations that have had 10 years of tax holidays and reduced rates,” said Sen. Orrock. “Georgia cannot afford this anti-family and anti-jobs bill.”
The haste within which SB 447 traveled through the legislative process overlooked public opinion and alternative solutions. SB 447 would place the burden on two-thirds of families and the businesses they frequent. A fair approach would raise the taxable wage base just to the southeast regional average.
The following organizations in opposition to SB 447 offered their remarks as well:
Kathy Floyd of AARP Georgia: “AARP Georgia is appalled that an issue of such importance to so many older Georgians is speeding through with no discussion of alternatives. We have proposed more equitable solutions to the unemployment insurance trust fund shortfall.”
Clare Richie, Senior Policy Analyst with the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute: “We should not ask unemployed workers and their families to pay for a problem they did not cause. The shortfall results from years of tax holidays and tax breaks enjoyed by corporations.”
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 26, 2012
Contact:
Natalie Dale, Director
Kate Greer, Broadcast Specialist
kate.greer@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028